Sealed power supply and platform for military radio

ABSTRACT

An AC/DC power supply and platform for a military radio has been developed. The apparatus includes a base that supports at least one SINCGARS RT-1523 radio. The base is connected to an AC power supply and at least one DC power supply. The AC supply and DC power supply are configured to switch automatically to the DC power supply should the AC power supply fail. The housing of the platform is sealed from the exterior environment with gaskets.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 12/795,555 that was filed on Jun. 7, 2010 which is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/359,947 thatwas filed on Jan. 26, 2009, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Pat.No. 7,733,658 that was filed on May 15, 2007, which is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. Pat. No. 7,227,755 that was filed on Jul.21, 2004, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Pat. No. 6,784,570that was filed on Dec. 14, 2001.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to an integrated power supplyand docking platform. In particular, the present invention relates to anintegrated power supply and docking platform for a SatelliteCommunications (SATCOM) radio frequency power amplifier for forming asingle physical platform with integrated power electronics.

BACKGROUND ART

The U.S. Department of Defense employs a type of UHF, VHF-FM, and SATCOMcombat net radio known as the “Harris 117 Radio”. These radios have amilitary nomenclature of AN/PRC-117. The HARRIS 117 radios, are designedto provide the primary means of tactical communications and control forU.S. ground mounted and dismounted units, all in coordination with navaland air support. HARRIS 117 radios are designed on a modular basis forachieving maximum commonality among the various ground airborne systemconfigurations of the armed forces. HARRIS 117 radios provide U.S.military commanders with a highly reliable, secure, and easilymaintainable tactical radio net.

HARRIS 117 radios possess a nominal input power requirement of 24-32volts direct current, which is supplied by rechargeable on-boardbatteries. Recharging the HARRIS 117 radio batteries is inconvenientand, in certain mission applications, unattainable. Currently,specialized and complex battery recharging systems are available forrecharging HARRIS 117 radio batteries; however, these systems are notalways operable in a given application.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In some aspects, the invention relates to an adapter assemblycompromising: a base adapted and arranged for supporting at least oneSINCGARS RT-1523 radio; a first connector adapted and arranged forelectrically connecting with said SINCGARS RT-1523 radio; an AC powersupply electrically connected with said first connector, said firstpower supply comprising AC Power (85-260 VAC); at least one DC powersupply connected with said first connector, said second power supplycomprising DC Power (18-32 VDC); where the AC supply and DC power supplyare configured to switch automatically to the DC power supply should theAC power supply fail; and a housing that contains the AC power supplyand DC power supply, where the housing is sealed from the exteriorenvironment with gaskets.

Other aspects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from thefollowing description and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

It should be noted that identical features in different drawings areshown with the same reference numeral.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present inventionshowing a HARRIS 117 radio.

FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of the invention of FIG. 1 without theHARRIS 117 radio.

FIG. 3 is a bottom elevation view of the invention of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a back elevation view of the invention of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a back elevation view of the invention of FIG. 1 with a HARRIS150 radio.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the presentinvention for two SINCGARS RT-1523 model radios.

FIG. 7 is a back elevation view of the invention of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a back elevation view of an alternative embodiment of theinvention of FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An exemplary embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS.1-5, where like portions share like numbering. As illustrated at FIGS. 1through 4, an adapter assembly 10, in accordance with the presentembodiment, includes a base 12 having a front side 14, a back side 16,opposing lateral sides 18 and 20 and a top side 22. Top side 22 isadapted to simultaneously support a HARRIS 117 radio 24. To that end,top side 22 includes a substantially flat, horizontal first platform 28for supporting HARRIS 117 radio.

Extending upward from top side 22 at a 90 degree angle and forming aportion of backside 16 is the support structures for further supportingHARRIS 117 radio 24. More particularly, the support structures include avertical support clamps 34 extending upward from the platform 28 andhaving a width corresponding to the width of the platform 28.

A first connector 38 is positioned and arranged so that first connector38 is in alignment and capable of interfacing with a complementaryreceptor socket on the rear of HARRIS 117 radio 24, when radio 24 isinstalled on the platform 28. A suitable connector for use as firstelectrical connector 38 is 6 pin radio connector type designed andmanufactured by Perkins Technical Services, Inc. Receptor contacts 42are positioned within first connector 38 to receive corresponding maleconnectors extending within the complementary receptor socket on therear side of HARRIS 117 radio 24 in accordance with governmentspecifications established for HARRIS 117 radios and HARRIS 117 SATCOMand radio frequency power amplifiers.

2 binding Posts are positioned on the backside to provide direct currenttake off power for the external power amplifier in accordance withgovernment specifications established for HARRIS 117 radios and HARRIS117 SATCOM and radio frequency power amplifiers. A third binding post ispositioned as a ground drain for external power amplifiers requiring aground.

A control switch 50 is provided on front side 14 of base 12 forcontrolling the initiation of power and/or charging for HARRIS 117 radio24 when installed on adaptor assembly 10. The front side 14 furtherincludes a set of speaker access holes 52 and a microphone adapter 54.The set of speaker access holes 52 allows sound generated by a phonespeaker housed within base 12 to exit base 12, while microphone adapters54, 55 provide a means of connecting the input/output of a HARRIS 117radio handset to speaker to allow microphone out signals to betransmitted to an audio amplifier circuit and ultimately to speaker.

Opposite front side 14, a standard power plug 58 is supported withinback side 16 and is adapted to plug into a standard 110/220 volthousehold outlet via an electrical cord. The backside also includes asubminature “D” 26 pin connector allowing access to the connector fromthe backside of the Harris 177 radio 24. Additionally a subminature “D”9 pin connector to allow the radio to be controlled by TOCNET and aCircular connector to provide the ability of the unit to accommodate aLS/671 SINCGARS External Speaker with Microphone/Handset. Backside 16further includes a pair of fan access holes 60 to allow a flow of airthrough base 12 as generated by a pair of fans.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, the present embodiment of the inventionincludes a power supply subsystem for converting standard household110/220 Volt alternating current into direct current and supplying it tofirst connector 38 as +24 Volt direct current. When control switch 50 isclosed, a power supply converts alternating current power into directcurrent power at voltage levels required for HARRIS 117 radio 24, i.e.,+24 Volt direct current, and outputs the converted power to firstconnector 38 to allow for powering of HARRIS 117 radio 24 when installedor docked onto adapter assembly 10. A suitable power supply is anADA600F power supply manufactured by Cosel U.S.A. Inc located in SanJose, Calif.

Audio amplifier circuit is design with a five watt audio amplifier ICLM384N manufactured by National Semiconductor. Audio amplifier circuitacts as a power amplifier and relay for electrical signals generated bythe HARRIS 117 radio handset when connected via microphone adapters 54,55. In this manner, communications exchanged through the handset can beheard via speaker and the volume amplifier circuit provides a powerboost of 34 db maximum and operates off the +24 Volt input supply. Theoutput is frequency limited by a low pass output filter. The outputlevel is controlled via 20 k ohm resistor mounted on the front of theunit.

Inasmuch as power supply conversions and power switch wiring arewell-known in the electrical arts, further discussion as to theelectrical characteristics and properties of the internal power suppliesfor converting standard 110/220 volt AC into direct current will not bediscussed as they are not necessary for a complete understanding of theinvention herein described.

An adapter line connects the input/output of the HARRIS 117 radio 24handset line to the adaptor assembly 10 and internal microphoneelectronic, and line connects radio handset with the adaptor assembly 10to allow the transmission of voice communications (i.e. audio signals)to and from the handset. Additional electrical communications alsooccurs with the HARRIS 117 radio 24 via connectors 38 and 44 Thecombination of the HARRIS 117 radio 24, and the adaptor 10 allow theHARRIS 117 radio 24 to operate while allowing others in the vicinity ofthe adaptor unit 10 to hear incoming and outgoing voice transmissions.The LS/671 Speaker connector located on the back of the unit isconnected into this circuitry. This allows the LS/671 it broadcast theaudio from the handset plugged into the front of the unit as well as thecommunications received into the radio. The speaker on the front of thebase station will also broadcast the audio signals from the Handsetplugged into the LS/671 External SINCGARS Speaker.

An alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 6and 7. This embodiment includes an assembly 80 that includes the abilityto switch between AC power and DC power (20 v-30 v) seamlessly andautomatically in the powering of tactical radios. This capability allowsfor the assembly 80 to be connected to both the AC grid and standardtactical batteries currently available throughout the military or tostandard military DC vehicle power, Should the AC grid fail the unitautomatically will switch over to the DC power without interruption ofthe power provided to the radio, power amplifiers, external speakers,etc. This switchover is fully automatic and requires no action by theoperator.

FIG. 7 shows a rear view of the assembly 80 of this embodiment. Theassembly 80 includes an AC Power (85-260 VAC) Connector 82 and two DCPower (18-32 VDC) Connectors 84. The DC Connectors 84 allow forindependent batteries (including vehicle batteries) to be attached tomaintain radio power. This embodiment also provides two LS/671 speakerconnections 86 in addition to two TOCNET control ports 88. Thisembodiment of the assembly weighs approximately 20 pounds and has sizedimensions of 13″×13.5″×17.5″. While the embodiment shown is configuredto hold up to two SINCGARS RT-1523 model radios, other embodiments couldbe configured to hold other models of radios including: PRC-117; PRC-150and PSC-5.

The assembly 80 in this embodiment may also provide a DC power outputconnector 90 using the standard power connector found in militaryvehicles. This output connector 90 can provide power for communicationsaccessories such as the ITT Tactical Data Router (TDR) and FCBC2 (ForceXXI Battle Command, Brigade and Below) Devices to operate on theassembly's power grid, Additionally, a global positioning system (GPS)unit may be connected (connector not shown) to and powered by theassembly 80.

In an alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the assembly 80 is sealedwith gaskets from the exterior environment. The seal prevents dust andwater from getting into the internal compartments of the assembly 80. Inthis embodiment, the cooling fans along with their respective vent holesin the rear of the assembly 80 are removed. Instead, the assembly usesinternal heat sinks (not shown) to provided cooling for the internalcomponents. Additionally, the entire housing is sealed with gaskets thatmeet military specification (MILSPEC) standards. The gasket sealprevents electromagnetic interference (EMI) discharge.

While the invention is shown in one form, it will be obvious to thoseskilled in the art that it is not so limited but is susceptible ofvarious changes and modifications without departing from the spiritthereof. For example, various plug placements on the rear member of theinvention as well as to accommodate upgrades and modifications to thecurrent HARRIS 117 radios used by the Armed Forces. Moreover, the heightof the rear member and orientation of the electrical plug on the rear ofthe invention could easily be varied to accommodate different types ofradio configurations. These include the HARRIS 150 class of radios aswell as other variations and versions of the radios and communicationsequipment. In general, it is physical dimensions to meet various typesof HARRIS 117 radio configurations exist, such as those in existingmodel numbers: Ground ICOM radios using receiver-transmitter. Thesemodels are fully intended to be used and are compatible with embodimentsof the present invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. An adapter assembly compromising: a. a baseadapted and arranged for supporting at least one SINCGARS RT-1523 radio;b. a first connector adapted and arranged for electrically connectingwith said SINCGARS RT-1523 radio; c. an AC power supply electricallyconnected with said first connector, the AC power supply comprising ACPower (85-260 VAC); d. at least one DC power supply connected with saidfirst connector, the at least one DC power supply comprising DC Power(18-32 VDC); e. where the AC power supply and the DC power supply areconfigured to switch automatically to the DC power supply should the ACpower supply fail; and f. a housing that contains the AC power supplyand DC power supply, where the housing is sealed from the exteriorenvironment with gaskets.
 2. The assembly according to claim 1, furthercomprising a DC power outlet connector that provides DC power to networkdevices.
 3. The assembly according to claim 2, where the network devicescomprise a Tactical Data Router (TDR).
 4. The assembly according toclaim 2, where the network devices comprise FCBC2 (Force XXI BattleCommand, Brigade and Below) Devices.
 5. The assembly according to claim2, where the network devices comprise a GPS receiver.
 6. The assemblyaccording to claim 1, further comprising at least one TOCNET controlport.
 7. The assembly according to claim 1, where the AC supply and theDC power supply each includes a DC power converter for converting theirrespective power into 24 Volt direct current.
 8. The assembly accordingto claim 1, where the assembly is configured to support at least onePRC-117 radio.
 9. The assembly according to claim 1, where the assemblyis configured to support at least one PRC-150 radio.
 10. The assemblyaccording to claim 1, where the assembly is configured to support atleast one PSC-5 device.
 11. The assembly according to claim 1 furthercomprising a speaker integral with said base, said speaker being inelectrical connection with an audio amplifier circuit of said thirdpower supply.
 12. The assembly according to claim 10 where a volumecontrol is electrically connected with said audio amplifier circuit. 13.The assembly according to claim 1 further comprising at least one heatsink located internally within the housing.